Students, residents gather to rally for peace in Flint

View full sizeA Sunday, July 21 peace rally by students from the University of Michigan-Flint's Black Student Union called for the community to come together as one.Roberto Acosta | MLive.com

FLINT, MI -- More than 100 students and residents marched down Saginaw Street Sunday, July 21 shouting chants of "We March Today," "We March Together," and "Increase the Peace."

The peace rally, led by University of Michigan-Flint's Black Student Union, was the brainchild of 19-year-old Mott Community College student Tierra Bradford.

Bradford said she was angry at the recent verdict finding George Zimmerman not guilty for the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

She noted that "Instead of sitting mad behind my keyboard, I wanted to go out and do something not just for Trayvon Martin but every violent act and injustice around the world."

Asa Zuccaro, 19, president of the student union group, said people have "lost a sense of respect for the community and each other" with some becoming placement in the face of crime taking place in the community.

"Year after year, Flint is rated as one of the most dangerous cities in the county and we do nothing," he said, while adding instead of waiting for the government to make change "We need to take care of one another."

"We share a city, but we don't communicate with one another," Zuccaro said. The keys for Zuccaro in becoming a solidified community included "recognizing one another, talking with one another, looking out for the best interests of one another."

"We set the culture of the community," he said. "We seemingly tolerate the outrageous increase in violence."

Bradford admitted to not having all the answers, but she said "We're
trying to figure it out too." She noted an initial step in making a
difference would be "getting more involved in the community, attending
school meetings." Bradford called on the young people in attendance to also look at themselves to make change.